During my time in Florence I will be interning at a Tech Startup called Plannest. Plannest is a Software as a Service (SaaS) company that provides an easy alternative for fitness professionals to manage their business operations. Plannest provides fitness professionals with an easy and efficient management software that makes interacting with clients much easier and attainable. This software allows smaller trainers and boutique gyms to streamline their businesses, making transactions, customer service, and many other business needs much easier. During my time with Plannest, I will be primarily working as a financial/market analyst, researching competitors and analyzing new markets to determine growth opportunities. While my main role is as an analyst, I will be doing a wide variety of work with Plannest since it is such a young company.
Being an intern in Florence has already taught me so much. In the few weeks that I have been with Plannest I have already been faced with tasks that I have never done before. Due to this I have had to leverage my problem solving skills to learn about how software companies operate and how to analyze a successful company. As an intern in a foreign country, it is essential to have an open-mind and a willingness to embrace new experiences. Although I have only been working for 2 weeks, I have already been in many situations where I was uncomfortable, or didn’t fully grasp what was going on. Whether it was adjusting to different communication styles, navigating cultural differences in workplace expectations, or simply trying to understand unspoken norms, I have quickly realized that being adaptable is essential. It is also just as important to be able to reflect on your experience. I am grateful to have the Global Internship Course offered by CEACAPA to guide me through my reflection and encourage me to think through this internship.
The greatest challenge that I have faced as an intern in Florence is the cultural differences within the business world. The professional norms here in Florence are very different from what I am used to at home. The biggest difference that I have noticed is how casual the business environment is. In America, I am taught to always be formal and to understand my role within the organization. This is very different from what I have experienced here in Florence. My co-workers treat each other like buddies rather than employees. Everyone knows each other personally, and they act very casual around each other. It creates a very welcoming environment. It is very refreshing to be a part of a team like this and I am eager to continue my work with Plannest. I am very grateful to experience something like this and look forward to what is to come.
